Migrating Storm 2 (9700) from UK (o2) to Japan (Docomo or other provider?)

I'm moving to Japan and have a perfectly useable QWERTY 9700 (o2 supplied). Does anyone have experience of a non-Japan-provider-supplied handset being used in Japan:
a) is it easy (a straight SIM swap)?
b) are there any extra costs involved?
c) is software upgrade needed (I want and need Japanese language input, which, though supported by Vodafone in UK, didn't seem available on o2/Telefonica)?
d) anything else that's good to know?

04-27-2011, 09:23 PM

Joe Jerde

Quote:

Originally Posted by m77coy

I'm moving to Japan and have a perfectly useable QWERTY 9700 (o2 supplied). Does anyone have experience of a non-Japan-provider-supplied handset being used in Japan:
a) is it easy (a straight SIM swap)?
b) are there any extra costs involved?
c) is software upgrade needed (I want and need Japanese language input, which, though supported by Vodafone in UK, didn't seem available on o2/Telefonica)?
d) anything else that's good to know?

Make sure your phone is unlocked if needed.

Also, if you want the BlackBerry Data plan, so make sure the carrier you choose has that. Not all foreign carriers offer BlackBerry services.

Look into multilanguage operating systems for your device.

05-15-2011, 03:10 AM

clive

Quote:

Originally Posted by m77coy

I'm moving to Japan and have a perfectly useable QWERTY 9700 (o2 supplied). Does anyone have experience of a non-Japan-provider-supplied handset being used in Japan:
a) is it easy (a straight SIM swap)?
b) are there any extra costs involved?
c) is software upgrade needed (I want and need Japanese language input, which, though supported by Vodafone in UK, didn't seem available on o2/Telefonica)?
d) anything else that's good to know?

Hi There..
1. Pl be aware that Japan uses different Radio bands for Tx & RX. I was there a few yrs back & my DUal Mode GSM/CDMA phone never worked there.
2. Also Japan has only 3G 1700/2100. SO theoretically ur 9700 should work.
Also read this New to Japan - General - Mobile Phones (Keitai Denwa)
SO pl get more details and share with all of us here
All the best :)

05-15-2011, 05:23 PM

ghostryder

Quote:

Originally Posted by m77coy

I'm moving to Japan and have a perfectly useable QWERTY 9700 (o2 supplied). Does anyone have experience of a non-Japan-provider-supplied handset being used in Japan:
a) is it easy (a straight SIM swap)?
b) are there any extra costs involved?
c) is software upgrade needed (I want and need Japanese language input, which, though supported by Vodafone in UK, didn't seem available on o2/Telefonica)?
d) anything else that's good to know?

If you need to unlock your phone, go here, FreeMyBlackBerry.com. It took less than 2 hours for them to send my unlock code. Just be sure to follow the directions they send with your code. It's free and the company is very reputable.